Shebab militants attack military intelligence base in Mogadishu

June 21, 2015 7:51 am

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Somali soldiers conduct random checks during a patrol in Mogadishu in February 2015, as part of an operation against Al-Shebab insurgents/AFP

By AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE, MOGADISHU, June 21- Shebab militants launched a major suicide raid on Sunday against a military intelligence base in the capital Mogadishu, setting off a car bomb before storming inside, security officials said.

“There is an attack against a base belonging to the security forces. The violent elements used a car bomb to get inside the compound. There was a heavy exchange of gunfire,” said Adan Mohamed, a Somali security official.

Witnesses near the base, belonging to the internationally-backed government’s National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), reported a loud explosion followed by intense gunfire.

“There was a heavy explosion and in seconds heavy gunfire broke out. We cannot go outside the house because of the shooting,” said Abdulahi Yare, a resident who lives near the base.

The attack comes at the start of Islam’s holy month of Ramadan. The Al-Qaeda-linked Shebab, who are fighting to topple the Mogadishu government, have in past years intensified attacks during the month of fasting.

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